OMG…I am so sorry that it took this long! I got grounded for something I did at school and I could use my computer! Please don't kill me!
Thank you soooooooooo much for EVERYBODY that reviewed and I REALLY hope that you guys continue to leave your wonderful reviews .
I just need to ask everyone something….would you like a happy ending or a sad ending? I wrote an EXTREMELY SAD ending and I am VERY happy with the way that it ended BUT I want you guys to like it too. If you want BOTH a happy and sad ending I could end it both ways. I'll just make like an alternate ending. Please tell me which you would like in your review OR you could just email me. PLEASE ENJOY THE CHAPTER!
Chapter 6"Hitomi…you have just dug your grave with the rest of these pathetic fools," said Taeya venomously as she drew her katanas from their sheathes and put them out in front of her.
"You talk with much confidence for one who is greatly out numbered my dear girl," said Nukasa seriously as he stared at her softly with his dark brown eyes. "Do you honestly believe that you will leave this battle alive?"
"Hai…that is exactly what I plan…but don't worry. I won't leave until I make sure that I leave you dead," she said as she turned and swung her sword at the masked man directly behind her. Blood splashed itself on her light blue top and dark pants as the sword slashed through the man's torso.
All the men rushed at her with their swords drawn and Taeya ran towards a giant tree in the center of the clearing. Taeya spun away from the tree the moment that she came face to face with it and pushed the man's face into the tree before tripping him and stabbing him square in the chest as he fell backwards. Three more men jumped towards her with their kudachis out in front of them. Taeya blocked all three of the kudachis with her two katanas and then quickly dropped down and side swept the three men. She used her katanas to pierce the two men's chest and at the same time, she brought her foot down on the third man and broke his neck.
"My my…quite talented aren't we, Taeya?" said Nukasa as he appeared behind her.
"Yeah, so?" said Taeya as she stood up off the ground and brought her katanas to her sides.
"Are you truly that eager to die, Taeya?" asked Hitomi as she drew her sword and smiled at Taeya slyly.
"Are you?" she said coldly as she raised her swords.
"Let us find out, ne?" Hitomi said while she rushed towards Taeya. She brought her sword down numerous times on Taeya but every time she thought that she had cut her, Taeya blocked her attacks like they were nothing.
'She is no amateur that's for sure,' thought Nukasa as he watched Taeya suddenly switch from a defensive position to an offensive one. 'She would be an excellent challenge, I wonder how her skills would match against my own.' As Nukasa finished thinking, he heard Hitomi grunt in pain and saw her katana fly through the air and land right in front of his feet.
Nukasa looked up to see Hitomi breathing hard and a large cut across her upper torso. "Taeya, do you care to fight with me?" asked Nukasa innocently.
Taeya shrugged, "It's your grave."
"How about we fight hand-to-hand? No weapons, ne?"
"Fine," said Taeya casually as she sheathed her swords and slipped into a fighting stance. They stood in complete silence for three minutes before Nukasa launched the first series of attacks. Taeya slipped between his arms and legs like a knife against butte.
'Not bad,' thought Nukasa as his leg shot out to trip Taeya and she easily back flipped into the air and landed softly on the ground. Her eyes widened at the speed in which he came at her with after she had landed. Taeya again slipped between his attacks despite his sudden increase in speed, she still found it easy to avoid his attacks.
'Where is he getting all this energy from? He doesn't even look that strong but then again I shouldn't be talking cause I don't look that strong either,' thought Taeya as she put her arm out to block his kick but staggered back a little bit dew to the amount of force that he had put into it. Taeya regained her composure in time to crouch down and avoid Nukasa's back handed punch. 'He is starting to piss me off. Does that cocky grin of his ever leave his damn face?' she said to herself as she blocked another series of kicks and stared into his dark brown eyes.
Taeya threw herself at Nukasa and brought him down with her as she punched the left side of his cheek. The two struggled with each other as they rolled on the grass. Nukasa landed on top of her and pinned her to the grass with her arms crossed high over head. "Looks like I am the strongest," said Nukasa as he stared down at Taeya.
"I wouldn't be so confident if I were you Nukasa." Taeya flipped him over her and stood up; however, she cringed when a sharp pain made its way through her left shoulder. "Uuhh!"
Nukasa looked at Hitomi with an angered expression as he saw the tip of her sword peeking out of Taeya's left shoulder. Hitomi pulled out her sword and kicked Taeya in the back, sending her rolling down a small hill. Taeya rolled on the grass and stopped rolling when her right hand landed in the ice waters of the river.
Taeya thought about getting up, though she had been wounded by Hitomi that didn't mean that she couldn't fight but decided against it for the time being when she felt someone's foot press against her back and then she suddenly couldn't breath. 'I can't…breathe!'
"Gaaaaaah!" Taeya shot up and accidentally hit Sanosuke across the face. Sanosuke tumbled away from her as he held his cheek in pain from his 'rude awakening' and stared at Taeya. Before Sanosuke had any time to say anything to her, Taeya hugged him tightly as tears began to stream down her cheeks and all of the anger that Sanosuke had felt faded away as fast as it had arrived only to be replaced by sympathy. "What is it kirei?" he asked soothingly as he rubbed her back with his hand slowly, trying to calm her down.
"I just want them to stop," she whispered in between her light sobs as she continued to cry into Sanosuke's chest.
"Want who to stop kirei?"
"The nightmares…I want them to leave me alone if…if only for just one night."
Sanosuke held her to him for a few minutes longer before he gently raised her head up so that she was staring up into his concerned chocolate brown eyes. "Let me help you. I'll always be there for you no matter what kirei."
"Yakusoku?"
"Yakusoku kirei," said Sanosuke while he wiped away her remaining tears with his thumbs. He looked into her emerald green eyes and then slowly began to lean his head closer to hers.
'He's going to k-kiss me,' thought Taeya as she saw him lean his head towards hers. 'I-I want him to kiss me.' An electric shock ran through her when Sano's soft lips pressed softly against hers.
When Sano was sure that she wasn't going to pull away from him he wrapped his arms around her small waist and slowly pulled her closer to him as he deepened the kiss. His tongue caressed her lips and he was slightly surprised when Taeya opened her mouth to grant him access. The two were so lost in their passionate kiss that neither of them noticed the nosey couple who were peeking through the door.
Aoshi looked over at Misao to see a small smile on her lips. "Let us get back to bed Misao-san."
"Oh…do we have to?"
"Hai, come on," said Aoshi as he closed the door and left with Misao. Aoshi stopped in front of Misao's room and looked down at her with slight curiosity at the smile she still had on her face. "Misao-san, why are you smiling like that?"
"Remember the last time Taeya-san was here?"
"Aa, why?"
"Well before she left she told me not to stop trying to get your attention. She said, 'Misao-chan, no matter how hopeless the situation seems at the moment don give up on Aoshi-san. Aoshi-san is just afraid to admit his feelings for you…just be patient and you will get exactly what you want.'
"And Taeya and Sanosuke kissing makes you smile because?"
"After she said that…" Misao recalled their conversation a year and a half ago.
Flash back
"I promise I won't give up on him. I feel much better now Taeya-san, arigato but… in return you have to find someone to care for the same way that I care about Aoshi-sama."
"Nani? You know I can't do that Misao-chan."
"Demo…why not? You are very attractive and smart. I mean, all the guys here think you're hot and all you do is slightly smile at them as you pass by. Why can't you just go out with one guy and see how it goes?"
"Misao-chan…I am always leaving the Aoiya for a long period of time. Who would want to wait for …five months to see me?"
"Aoshi-sama, me, Okan-san, Jiya…"
"Besides the people who are my family Misao-chan. There is absolutely no man alive who would wait that long to see his girlfriend."
"I waited for Aoshi-sama most of my life Taeya-san and you know that. Tell me the real reason why you wont even try?"
Taeya sighed heavily as she sat down with Misao on her futon. "Promise not to tell no one?"
"Yakusoku."
"I won't try because…I am afraid to let anyone near me like that."
"Taeya-san just try. Onegai…just once. Try to let someone in. you will know who is the right person to let in when you see him. I knew Aoshi-sama and I were meant to be the very instant he looked into my eyes…and so will you Taeya-san. Promise to at least try?"
"…Yakusoku, Misao-chan."
End flash back
Misao laughed quietly after she had told Aoshi, "Obviously she did no t count on meeting Sanosuke and his charms."
"I take it that she finally found someone to love?"
"Aa, I am very happy for her," said Misao as she smiled up at Aoshi.
"Goodnight itachi-mesume," said Aoshi.
"Grrr…I told you not to call m-" Misao never finished her sentence as Aoshi captured her lips with his Misao laughed quietly after she had told Aoshi, "Obviously she did no t count on meeting Sanosuke and his charms."
"I take it that she finally found someone to love?"
"Aa, I am very happy for her," said Misao as she smiled up at Aoshi.
"Goodnight itachi-mesume," said Aoshi.
"Grrr…I told you not to call m-" Misao never finished her sentence as Aoshi captured her lips with his and Misao gave into the kiss as she melted in his arms. Aoshi almost lost himself in her sweet lips but found just enough strength to slowly pull away from her.
"Goodnight Misao-chan," said Aoshi hoarsely.
"G-goodnight," staggered Misao while she tried to regain her lost breath.
Taeya's green eyes began to open when she heard the birds chirping in the trees outside her window. 'No nightmares,' she thought thankfully as she sat up and looked at her side with a smile. Sanosuke was lying on his side and his arm was holding his head up as he smirked, "Morning kirei."
"Morning tori-atama," she said as she stood up and walked over to the closed window. "It's hot in here, ne?" she asked while she slowly opened the window and took pleasure in the soft cold breeze. A small bird flew towards Taeya as she put her hand out the window and the bird landed on her index finger. The bird chirped when Sanosuke came up behind Taeya and wrapped his arms around her waist. He planted a kiss on her cheek as she leaned against the windowsill as the bird flew back towards the tree. "You know, I have never been this happy before, Sano. I never even thought that I could be this happy."
"Well that was before you met me. Kirei…you know, I've been thinking…"
"You have been thinking? You were thinking? What a miracle," she said playfully.
"Yeah yeah, laugh it up. Listen, after we get this thing settled and all…what are you gonna do?"
"W-what do you mean?"
"Are you going to stay here in the Aoiya with Aoshi and Misao or are you goin' to come back to Tokyo with me and the others."
"…I………don't know Sano. The Aoiya is my home but…I don't want to just forget about you and the others either. I guess…time will decide that for itself, ne?"
"Yeah…time will tell us. Oh anyways…Kenshin and Kaoru are coming to Kyoto with Yahiko."
"How do you know that?" asked Taeya as she now turned to face him.
"Because I woke up before you did and heard weasel and the icicle reading a letter that had arrived this morning."
"This morning? What time is it?"
"It is ten thirty a.m. kirei. Don't worry, it isn't that late."
"That is late for me. I should change and go help Misao-chan and the girls in the restaurant. I suggest you do the same…tori-atama."
"Alright fine. I'll be down in five minutes okay?"
Taeya giggled lowly and smiled when Sano walked over to her and placed a small lingering kiss on her lips.
"You do this everyday?" asked Taeya as she cleaned the table where a couple had just finished eating.
"Is it hard for you? Do you want to do the dishes instead?" asked Misao as she helped Taeya wipe down the table.
"No way, remember what happened last time?"
Misao laughed at the memory, "Yeah, we had to buy more than a dozen plates because of your clumsiness." Misao and Taeya laughed innocently as they began to walk back to the kitchen but gasped when a kunai flew past them and sunk itself into the wall behind them.
The two girls turned their heads tot he wall behind them to stare at the kunai stuck in the wall and saw a white piece of paper tied to the end of the kunai. Taeya walked up to the wall, quickly untied the piece of paper, and stuffed it in her pocket as she saw Omasu coming.
"Oi, are you two alright?"
"Yeah," answered Misao with a smile, "could we go on a break?"
"Sure, as long as you are back in fifteen minutes.
"Alright, you got it Omasu-san," said Taeya as she and Misao walked up the stairs and into Misao's room.
"Let me read it first, Taeya-san," said Misao as she sat down next to Taeya on her futon.
"How about I read it aloud?"
"That works. As long as I get to be a part of what ever is going on."
Taeya shook her head, "No, Misao-chan, it is too dangerous. Besides, Aoshi-san wouldn't let you even if I did."
"That kunai could have cut my face and do not forget that I am the okashira now not Aoshi-sama."
Taeya sighed, "You are just as stubborn as ever."
"And you are still as soft as ever when it comes to me. Hurry and read it."
Taeya unfolded the paper and began to read its contents out loud.
Taeya-san,
Even with the help of the Oniwabanshu you will not make it through this ordeal alive. Do not forget that it was the Oniwabanshu that cast me out to begin with. You just made this easier for me now that you and the Oniwabanshu are in one place. Do not forget that you are just postponing the inevitable.
Nukasa Newen
"Nukasa Newen…now why does that sound so familiar?"
"He use to be a member of the Oniwabanshu back when Aoshi-san was the okashira."
"Oh no I remember him! Aoshi-sama cast him out because he liked to kill people for the fun of it. Aoshi-sama told me that he wanted revenge on the Oniwabanshu, that is one of the reasons that he didn't want me to be okashira. Taeya-san, why in the world would he be after you?"
"Because I was the one who captured him. Back during the revolution, after Aoshi-san cast him out, the Imperialists put something like a want on him. I just so happened to be the one to run into him first so I captured him." Taeya let out a sigh, "All of this could have been avoided if I had paid more attention to Hitomi and stopped her from forming an alliance with that rat."
"Taeya-san…Hitomi was your friend at one point and although you knew about her pack with Nukasa you trusted her to do the right thing and she didn't. That is not your fault, Taeya-san. That is a mistake that she made and I bet you anything that right now, at this very moment, she's wishing that she never crossed you. No one would want you for an enemy Taeya-san, trust me."
"As true as that might be, Misao-chan, Nukasa is no push over, he wont be an easy opponent to defeat."
"Well, you will beat him in the end no matter what and then you are gonna come and live with me and Aoshi-sama in the Aoiya."
Taeya smiled at Misao and nodded her head as she stood up off the floor and crumpled the note, "You are absolutely right Misao-chan, there is nothing to worry about because I got this covered."
"Taeya-san, I am going to go on a quick round, want to go with me?"
"Sure," said Taeya as she and Misao changed into their ninja uniforms. The two jumped onto the Aoiya's rooftop and were ready to leap off onto the other building's roof when they heard someone shriek.
"Aaaah! Run, get out of my way!"
Misao and Taeya ran down the steps and back into the restaurant to find everyone running towards the exit in a panic and the two girls understood the customer's fear when they laid their eyes on Hitomi and two dozen masked men. "Misao-chan," said Taeya, "duck." The two crouched on top of the stairs and stared over at Hitomi.
"Why are we hiding instead of kicking their asses?"
"Misao-chan, were did you learn how to talk like that?"
"You. Now answer my question."
"I just want to see what they are after before I jump in a kick their asses. Now quiet down."
"Step out of the way old man! We are here for Taeya and the leader of the Oniwabanshu, Shinamori Aoshi!" shouted Hitomi as she unsheathed her katana.
Omasu, Okan, Shiro, and Kuro jumped in front of Okina in a protective manner and stared at Hitomi fiercely as they all prepared to fight.
"You are all members of the Oniwabanshu and you will pay for your incompetence!"
"You bark pretty loud for someone's lackey, Hitomi," said Taeya casually as she suddenly appeared at the door with her weapons at her hands.
"Why don't you concentrate on the ugly witch, Taeya-san and I'll deal with all her hench men," said Misao as she took out her kunai and slipped into her kenpo-fighting stance.
"Misao-san, don't you think that we should fight a battle like this in a more…open area where no one will get hurt?" asked Aoshi as he and Sanosuke appeared behind the two women.
"Aoshi-sama?"
"Aoshi-sama? So you are still the leader of the Oniwabanshu? Hrm, after all this time I would have thought that a new, younger leader would have taken your place but I guess I was wrong."
"Oi, I'll have you kn-" Aoshi gently elbowed Misao on her side and silently told her to be quiet.
"Why don't we fight near the river? There's no one around there at this time," said Sanosuke.
"The place does not matter to me at all. The end result will be the same regardless," said Hitomi confidently.
"You are right Hitomi, the end result will be the same no matter where we fight. Your death has been assured this very night." Taeya turned on her heel and the four followed her out the Aoiya and to the river. Hitomi and her masked soldiers followed from a distance as they too made their way to the place where they would fight. Taeya walked silently along the side of Sanosuke and Misao. "Gomen nasai Aoshi-san. I never meant to drag you and Misao-chan into this mess," she said softly as the wind blew her hair lightly around her when she reached the river.
"Do not apologize to me, Taeya-san. It was my fault that Nukasa is out there…I let him escape. Misao and myself are here because we want to be. If you had asked me to fight I would have helped you, you are like my younger sister."
"And you couldn't have left me behind even if you had wanted to. I would have followed you here and helped you fight," said Misao with a bright smile.
Taeya smiled and drew her swords once again when Hitomi and her masked men arrived. Sanosuke and everyone else slipped into a fighting stance as Taeya thought, 'I don't even need to ask Sano why he is here because I already know the answer to that.'
The wind picked up slightly as Hitomi unsheathed her sword and brought it out in front of her. Hitomi rushed at Taeya and brought her sword down on her but found that Taeya had done the same attack; she had anticipated the attack before hand.
'Concentrate,' thought Taeya as she blocked another of Hitomi's attacks. Taeya pushed forward with her katanas in an attempt to catch Hitomi off balance but noticed that Hitomi had back flipped into the air and the very moment that Hitomi's feet touched the ground Taeya's legs shot out and tripped her. As soon as she began to fall forward Taeya jumped into the air and raised her swords over her head to strike Hitomi.
Hitomi fell forward and hit the ground hard on her side. She looked up to see Taeya coming down at her, her swords coming sown hard and fast but Hitomi was able roll away from the brutal attack. Hitomi stood back up and looked venomously at Taeya, "This will be the last battle between you and I."
"Indeed it will Hitomi, indeed it will," said Taeya coldly as she narrowed her bright green eyes into slits. In Taeya's eyes there was something that wanted desperately to break free and take over…something that she had locked away and tried to keep locked up. However, the lock was faltering as she continued to glare at Hitomi; the thrill to kill was beginning to resurface and Taeya now had to battles to fight…one against herself and the other against Hitomi.
If you didn't read the note at the top please read it! Again I am VERY sorry that I haven't updated my stories but please forgive me! Thank you to all who review and keep reviewing! Don't forget that our reviews inspire me to keep on writing. .
Love much,
Bball chick